Michelle Staebell, CPA
Accounting Faculty
As a teacher, CPA, and business owner, and sought-after expert by news media, Michelle has a broad perspective in business and deep experience in education that makes her a powerful ally for students. Not one to fall back on business as usual, Michelle says she’s witnessed firsthand the consequences of repeated bad decision making that can happen when people insist: “That’s how it’s always been done.” Which is why she’s glad to join the Golisano Institute—where that mentality doesn’t exist. Michelle has run her own accounting firm since 2010 and has experience at several other CPA firms as well. She’s also taught accounting and entrepreneurship at SUNY Geneseo. Outside the office, Michelle has volunteered on numerous boards, including Geneseo Volunteer Tax Assistance, serving low-income and elderly taxpayers. A member of the New York State Society of CPAs, she’s a 2016 inductee into the group’s Young Leadership Circle. Michelle has also been a CNN Business contributor.
Q&As
Why do you love teaching business education?
Lessons learned in business education are universal to life. Even if someone doesn’t enter a traditional “business” role, the education can be applied to all types of relationships, communication, gaining efficiencies and other life skills.
What are you most looking forward to teaching at the Golisano Institute?
Taxation. I have taught individual and business taxation for over a decade and former students almost universally agree that these courses teach life-skills that everyone could benefit from. Every single working individual, no matter if they are an employee or self-employed, will have to file annual income tax returns. Knowing the basics will save time, frustration, and money for years to come.
What do you hope for the students you will be working with?
I hope the students value the process of education as much, or more as the resulting scores and certification. I see many students who want the passing grade, or the “A” but undervalue the process of learning.
Three fun facts
- Since getting married and changing my last name, my name rhymes.
- I have two kids, a 5-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.
- My husband and I play volleyball every week and recently picked up the extremely fun sport of pickleball.